Note to Self: Don't Write off "Disruptive" Kids

OK - I have to admit. I was annoyed as hell. It was the second Saturday back at the Family Service Centre, the kids were restless, and the younger of the "L" brothers was running around and being disruptive.

I was really quite glad when he left the group to do his own thing. I had enough kids to work with.

After the morning's session, when all the kids had trooped off home with their Milo and sweets, I went to one of the student volunteers who spent time with L and gave him a sympathetic "you had to look after L huh? How was it?"

"Actually, pretty good," he said, throwing me for a loop. "We took him outside to the void deck. Found out he likes playing Chinese chess. So he's obviously intellectually bright. He just needs the individual attention so he's not bored."

Hmm. So much for snap judgements. Even with kids.

Not Your Typical Provence Photo

In Avignon now, where it'll a high of 3 degrees C today.

It's been a great week. (Although cold. Cold, cold, COLD! By my tropical standards anyway)
Love the little markets. Great cheese, proscuitto, baguette, fresh fruit and veg! NY Eve dinner in Avignon. Subtle use of truffle. Great service.

So many small towns and so much great food, friendly people. Cute buildings and castles. It's like walking in a page from a fairytale. This was shot at a winery earlier this week. Lotsa fog and tons of atmosphere. Although it warmed up to the teens later in the afternoon.

You wouldn't believe how many "Provence in the winter? Why?????" questions we got. But hey - having a great time anyway. No crowds, lots of parking, no queues for restaurants, and no need to elbow other tourists and their cameras out of the way.

So, maybe sometimes the road less travelled, in the off season, is not so bad. Now - I'm going to find a sweater and bundle up.